South Wales Scorpions’ junior sides take centre stage this weekend with a triple header of matches against Warrington Wolves at Caerphilly RFC on Saturday from 11am.
The under 16s are up first before the 15s kick-off at 12.45pm with the under 18 Academy side at 2.30pm.
With no South Wales Scorpions first team game this weekend, all fans are encouraged to come along and support the stars of the future.
The Under 18 Academy and Under 15 and 16 Scholarship sides, who are run by Wales Rugby League, have had another excellent season producing some outstanding stars for the future, as Head of Performance for Wales Rugby League, Dan Clements explains.
“2012 has been a really encouraging season for junior development in Wales so far,” he said. “Numerous players have come through our systems to make appearances in Super League and Championship One which shows that the long term strategy is starting to pay off.
“We have had Rhodri Lloyd make his first team debut at Wigan, Rhys Pugsley move to Wigan full-time, and Ollie Olds and Jack Pring star for the Leeds Rhinos under 20 side who are at the top of the Valvoline Cup competition. All of these players have come through our Academy set-up here in South Wales.
“Rhodri, Ollie and Jack also made full international appearances against France in Wrexham last month.
“On a local level our scholarship sides have been flourishing under the coaching team that we have assembled, and they have been putting in notable performances against vastly experienced opposition.
“The under 18 Academy side are showing improvements week after week and for a young side, are showing great potential for the future.
“The added bonus of Courtney Davies, Jacob Morgan, TJ Collin and Conner Farrer making their first team senior debuts with South Wales Scorpions has been a vital part of their development, giving them a deserved opportunity to play against men at a high standard.”
Scholarship coach Lee Cullen adds: “It’s our job to prepare players for the next stage in their Rugby League development and we have had a really good season. We’ve had some really good performances at under 15 and 16 levels, and this has been underpinned by some fine individual efforts.
“All the players are going in the right direction. Their core skills have improved dramatically and a lot of the players are showing that they are ready to progress onto the next level for them as a Rugby League player"
Scorpions’ head coach Dave Clark has been equally impressed with the youngsters produced by the Academy and Scholarship set-up.
“It’s fantastic to see the youngsters progressing in Wales,” Clark said. “Take Courtney Davies, who made his debut last Sunday on his 18th birthday, and scored a try and two goals. He played for about 20 minutes and he did well. He’ll come with us to Workington next week.
“He and others coming through are very bright prospects for the future. With this pathway, we now have players coming through from the under 18s which is great, and credit to everyone involved in its development. We had 15 Welsh players in our 17 in the first team last Sunday and that’s what it’s all about, developing the young players in Wales. Please come along on Saturday to Caerphilly and give them all your support.”
Admission for the matches against Warrington Wolves this Saturday is just £3 for adults and £1 concessions.
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